Lessons from an evaluation of an urban Indigenous food sharing initiative in Southwestern Ontario: "I feel like I'm nourishing my spirit".

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine an urban Indigenous food sharing initiative through an evaluation attending to the Food Share Initiative's implementation and early outcomes.

Methods: This project used a community-based participatory research methodology to guide an evaluation of process and initial outcomes. Storytelling methods including interviews and a sharing circle, which took place in July and August 2021, were used to create a relational context for the research team and project participants, which honour Indigenous research methodologies.

Results: A total of 14 self-identifying Indigenous people participated in this evaluation. Initiative staff and Food Share recipients identified community relationships as a shared initiative experience that contributed to the wholistic health effects experienced by recipients. All participants recognized capacity limitations of both Food Share recipients and operational staff were important constraints to the initiative's process and implementation. Participant recommendations to improve the Food Share included enhanced outreach to involve other Indigenous community members as well as infrastructure like long-term funding and a central location to strengthen the initiative's operational capacity.

Conclusion: As an important community food support, the Food Share's relational care approach fosters a meaningful and wholistic sense of nourishment for Indigenous community members in the Waterloo-Wellington Region.